Waleed Abu Al-Khair, a prominent Saudi human rights defender, was sentenced to 15 years in prison today. He was convicted under a new anti-terrorism law introduced in the absolute monarchy for charges like “insulting general order” and “inflaming public opinion”.

Abu Al-Khair has been in prison since April 16. Activists say the new 15-year sentence overturns an earlier three-month sentence. Academic researcher Dr. Madawi Alrasheed tweeted to her 181,000 followers denouncing the sentence:

Ideologist extremists who take up arms and go to fight will be rehabilitated, counseled and released while those who write and criticise will get lengthy sentences… you are giving the people tough options

Abu Al-Khair will not appeal the sentence, tweeted CNN's international correspondent Mohammed Jamjoom to his 18,600 followers:

Samar Badawi, wife of @WaleedAbulkhair, says “verdict was not just. Waleed was tried& sentenced simply 4 his work as rights activist” #Saudi

[…] Saudi, a human rights lawyer was sentenced to 15 years in prison for “insulting general order” and “inflaming public opinion” for defending his brother-in-law and prominent skeptic blogger Raif Badawi. Is it just me or do […]